Contents
Contents
Nick
Kershaw
2024 sees Nik Kershaw’s iconic Human Racing and The Riddle albums celebrate 40 years since their release back in 1984.
Human Racing charted in March 1984 and spent an incredible 61 weeks on the Official UK Album Charts. Hot on it’s heels was the iconic The Riddle and the success of both albums cemented Nik’s place in the 80’s music hall of fame.
Following on from Nik’s sold out UK tour earlier this year, Nik and the band will be heading out on the road, taking in a show at Komedia on 14th October, playing both iconic albums in their entirety; an evening of true nostalgia not to be missed!
We spoke to Nik about what we can expect...
It’s great to see you back on tour with ‘1984’, celebrating the 40th anniversary of both ’The Riddle’ and ‘Human Racing’ album releases. Will you be playing all the songs from both albums?
Yes, all 20 songs from the two albums. The first (and probably the last) time ever.
Your debut album ‘Human Racing’ went platinum and included massive hits such as '"Wouldn't It Be Good”, “I Won’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me’ and the title track ‘Human Racing’. When writing the album, did you have any idea the album and singles would be so successful?
It sounds horribly cocky but, yes I did. I was having shed loads of money and attention lavished upon me by a major record company and was surrounded by folk telling me I was the greatest thing since sliced bread. It’s only when you look back and realise there were equally talented artists in exactly the same position who didn’t get the same breaks and never made it, that you realise how lucky you were.
I understand Smash Hits said about the album "Competent but relentlessly dull synthesised meanderings of no importance to anyone but Mr Kershaw himself (and even he doesn't sound that interested).” Did you really care about what the critics were saying or Is it all about the music and message for you?
Mmmm. Me and Smash Hits had, what could only be described as a “hate/hate” relationship. I begrudged having to answer their inane questions and they begrudged having to give me any attention whatsoever. Mind you, the same could be said for most of the rest of the press. I’d be lying if I said some of the more negative reviews didn’t get to me, especially when you have a complete stranger hurling personal insults at you. You just had to roll with it.
"Richard Skinner walks on stage and introduces me as someone who Elton John described as “The most significant singer songwriter to emerge from this country in a decade”
A number of songs on the album have a political undertone and a lot of the lyrics could still resonate today, despite being written 40 years ago.
Yep. Despite my best efforts back in 1984, the planet and everyone on it is still doomed. Clearly, I should’ve tried harder.
But, joking aside, some of those lyrics seem pretty naïve and self-unaware (with the benefit of hindsight). When you’re that age, achieving that kind of success and everyone is asking you your opinion on everything, you really do believe you can change the World. As it turns out, I wasn’t the Messiah, I was just a really naughty boy.
‘I Won’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me’ reached Number Two in the UK charts. What kept it off Number One?
If I remember rightly, it was “Two tribes” – Frankie Goes To Hollywood (one of the finest records in pop history). So, no shame there.
How much pressure was there on you to repeat the success with the follow-up album ’The Riddle’?
I wasn’t conscious of it at the time. On reflection, it was insane to be releasing a second album within 9 months of the first. The record company wanted something out for Christmas and I can’t recall why I wasn’t sensible enough to object. I guess I was as hungry as they were. I had 2 weeks to write 9 of the songs and recorded the album over the summer of 84 whilst still promoting Human Racing. It was utterly bonkers.
And to repeat that success and have another platinum album. It must have been a much nicer experience to read the critics review then?
I figured out quite early on that, if I was going to disregard the bad reviews, I should do the same with the good ones. Consequently, I just don’t read any of them. I know when I’ve done good work and when I’ve fallen short of my own expectations. I don’t need anyone else to tell me.
Are you to play the songs as we know them, or have you made any new arrangements to them for this tour?
I’ve messed with most of the songs over the years. You go through a stage of getting fed up with playing them the same way every night. Then you come out the other side and realise that most people just want to hear versions of the recordings they know and love. So, other than a few tweaks to make them work live, we try to remain faithful to the original recordings.
Finally, what else do you have on the horizon?
I have a solo tour and a book coming out at the end of 2025. Meanwhile, I have the next album I really need to start getting stuck into and there are lawns to mow.